University Park, Pa. — Penn State goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher (Seymour, Conn.), a 2007 first team All-American, has been picked for a repeat as Soccer Buzz named the junior to its preseason All-American list. Naeher and the Nittany Lions opened the 208 season with a victory over William & Mary last Saturday, 3-1, and are in the hunt for their 11th consecutive Big Ten title.
As a sophomore in 2007, Naeher compiled a miniscule .62 goals against average, shattering the Penn State sophomore class record and finishing 18th in the nation. The Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year, she allowed only a 0.39 goals against mark in conference play. Naeher came up with the big saves when Penn State needed them, tallying 103 stops and posting a 0.873 save percentage, which was 12th in the nation, in addition to posting nine shutouts. A two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, she also earned Soccer America Team of the Week and was an academic All-District selection by ESPN the Magazine. Naeher was honored as a first team All-Big Ten pick, marking her second all-conference award after being named to the league's second team as a freshman. She is Penn State's third goalkeeper to earn All-America honors as Emily Oleksiuk (1999, 2000 and 2001) and Erin McLeod (2004- third team, 2005) both previously earned All-America nods at the position.
The No. 9 Nittany Lions hosts No. 4 Florida State Friday at Jeffrey Field. The 5 p.m. start precedes Penn State Football Eve at Beaver Stadium, just up the block from the home of Penn State soccer. Fans can attend the Nittany Lions' season opener and then head to the Stadium for the kick-off of the 2008 football season.
On Sunday, Penn State will meet Hofstra at 2:30 p.m. Both the Florida State and Hofstra games are part of the Penn State Invitational. PSU action on Friday is followed by the Connecticut vs. Hofstra at 7:30 p.m. FSU and UCONN meet in a noon contest on Sunday before the Nittany Lions' match with the Pride.